Box Score JACKSON, Tenn. | Making program history with the sweep and winning its 10th-straight game of the year, the University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team came back with four runs in the eighth inning to beat Union on Saturday afternoon 4-2 at Fesmire Field.
For the first time ever, UAH (32-13, 20-7 GSC) completed three-consecutive conference sweeps with its win on Saturday. The host Bulldogs (12-30, 5-20 GSC) didn't make it easy though, as
Jacob Croft had to come in relief in the ninth with the game-tying run on second to accomplish a feat that has never been done in the 18-year history of the program.
Drew Eiland (8-1) continued the best season of his four-year career in Huntsville, almost throwing his second complete-game of the year and needing just one strike out to do so. Eiland allowed two runs in the third inning, but settled in after that and pitched a shutout the final six innings.
The Chargers couldn't get anything going offensively, at least until the eighth inning when UAH plated four runs and took its first lead of the game. Getting some help from the Union bullpen, UAH walked three times and came through with three base hits with one of those walks resulting in a run.
Justin Riddle started the inning with a lead-off single, just the spark UAH needed to get something going.
Chase Handley followed with a single of his own, and with the tying run on base and no outs in the inning,
Cody Burton executed a perfect sacrifice bunt.
Chandler Brock came up and drew the first of three walks in the inning, which was followed by another walk by
Brandon Lawing that gave the Chargers their first run of the game. Then the team's designated hitter for the game,
Ryan Barnes, came through with a clutch single two record two RBIs.
It's been quite the impressive streak for the Chargers, who have eclipsed 30 wins and made program history with three straight GSC sweeps. The team will now anxiously await their ranking in the first NCAA South Regional poll set to be released this coming Wednesday.
The Chargers have not lost since Apr. 2 and will return home to take on West Alabama next weekend. Sunday will be Senior Day at Charger Park, while Saturday's doubleheader will serve as Burger King Day and is set to begin at 1 p.m.
